Nicki Oswald moved to accept the white ballot nomination and approval of Gerry Johnsen as Registration Coordinator of IYHA. John Niedfeldt-Thomas second. Motion passed.

Brent Eilefson moved to adjourn the election meeting. Motion passed. Adjourned at 7:15.

Attachment A

Statement of Tom Gombold

I am Tom Gombold, resident of New Brighton since 1998 and a member of IYHA since 2004. My wife Brigid and I have three children, ages 15, 12 and 7. My 12 year old son will be a 2nd year PeeWee next year and my youngest Daughter will be playing for the U8 team. I am registered as a coach with USA Hockey to work with kids up to the PeeWee level and I’ve supported the Association as an assistant coach or team manager every year since we became members and I plan to continue helping out any way I can.

There is something special about Hockey. Certainly difficult to describe, I know most hockey parents would agree that the life lessons, opportunities and memories that kids experience are worth the cost, time commitments and other sacrifices each individual family makes each year. Hockey is an opportunity for families to spend more time together and enjoy a common interest – it’s also a chance for kids and parents to expand their pool of friends. Most of all, Hockey is fun.

First and foremost, my interest in running for the board this year is to make sure the best interests of all players and families are represented in the decisions and initiatives taken by the Association. Time and financial sacrifice made by each member family is significant and the wise use of financial and volunteer resources will be carefully considered as part of any efforts I support. Irondale is a great Association serving approximately 200 families. I intend to do my best to insure that all families receive outstanding value when they invest time and finances to participate and support IYHA.

The most pressing opportunity I see facing Irondale as an Association is participation numbers. Hockey is not for everyone. But I am certain that with the right intensity and support from the board Irondale can double its participation numbers in five years. Doing so would decrease individual participation costs and expand the volunteer pool to a level that would allow the Association to do more for the kids at all levels. An essential piece to the continued success of this organization will pivot around our ability to get very serious about attracting new members and taking steps to insure that we retain the interest of the newest players.

Here are a few statistics taken from the six schools in our area that feed directly into IYHA with very few students eligible to play elsewhere. They are Sunnyside, Bel Air, Edgewood, Wilshire Park, St. Anthony Middle School and Pinewood. Enrollment at those schools alone totals about 3748 students. Last year, IYHA had only about 125 registered players from those schools. Stated differently, 3.3% of the eligible students at those schools play hockey. That’s not a lot. I am certain there is additional opportunity to grow our association. In fact, we have successful templates in our own district to learn from. Four years ago Coon Rapids went on a campaign to increase their number and last year they fielded 14 Mite teams! Two years ago Forest Lake took steps to increase their numbers and last year they added almost 140 first year skaters.

If elected, my primary focus will be to work with the board to develop a long term plan to significantly increase enrollment in the Association. By meeting with the most successful associations in the metro area to learn from their success, we can develop our own plan and start to have a positive impact on our numbers as early as this fall. Through some hard work, assistance of board and support of existing volunteers we have chance to do some great things by growth in the association. I hope you will support me. Thank You.

Attachment B

Statement of John Niedfeldt-Thomas

"My name is John Niedfeldt-Thomas and I am interested in serving as
Vice President of IYHA. My older son just finished his career as a
Bantam and will be trying out for the Irondale team next in the fall.
My younger son just finished his first year as a Squirt so I have
plenty of time with IYHA ahead of me.

I have served as a treasurer for a number of teams, co-managed a team
and served on the Tournament Committee this year. I shadowed the Vice
President at the Thanksgiving tournament and filled his role managing
the January Super C tournament as he was out of town with one of our
teams.

Professionally, I am a Director of Development for the HealthEast
Foundation, which raises funds to support the HealthEast Care System
in St. Paul. I am past-President of the Association of Fundraising
Professionals Minnesota Chapter and serve on their Finance Committee
and Strategic Planning Committee.

In addition to my hockey volunteering I have a long history of
volunteering with a number organizations, including Como Community
Child Care (Board Chair), the Pinewood Elementary PTA (President), the
Headwaters Fund (Development Committee), and the Alliance for
Sustainability (fundraising consultant).

Currently, I am a Board member for the USTA Northern Section (think
Hockey USA for tennis) and serve as chair of the Section Leagues
Committee. I have served in a number of other roles including chair of
the Adult Tennis Council and Grievance Committee.